Only you can determine what you should study in college, and there are different factors you should consider when making the decision. These include your personal interests and strengths, as well as your career goals and work preferences.

One of the most common questions students hear is, What do you want to be when you grow up? For many individuals, that answer is subject to change over time. You may have been obsessed with becoming an astronaut in fifth grade, but by the time you reached eighth grade, you may have wanted to become a world-famous author.

What should I go to college for? is a challenging question to answer for many people. This decision-making guide explores how to figure out what to go to college for and offers some food for thought that can help inform your choice.

One reason choosing a college major is so difficult is because it sounds so final. You make a decision, declare a major and begin working along your career pathway toward your dream job. But what happens if you make a mistake and discover that your path wasn’t the right choice? 

The desire to make the “right” call the first time can lead to decision paralysis. But you should always remember that you can indeed change your mind at any point along your career pathway — plenty of people do.

Switching to an entirely different career is certainly not out of the question. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), baby boomers held an average of 12.9 different jobs between the ages of 18 and 58.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

You can even change your major while you’re in college — up to a certain point. If you think there’s a chance you’ll switch to a different major, talk to your academic advisor to find out what the deadline is. You’ll need to be sure you’ll have enough time left to complete all of the credit requirements for your new major, or you may need to plan on staying in college a bit longer to complete your degree requirements. However, this can cost you more money in going undecided or switching your major, from taking classes your major does not require or staying longer.

In short, choosing a major and a career doesn’t have to be a final decision. You have time to seek the goals or research different paths you are interested in; there may be a lot of changes or require you to get a master’s degree, but that doesn’t mean you have to have it figured out immediately.

You might be wondering if you really should go to college if you aren’t sure what you’d like to study. The short answer is yes, you can absolutely start taking college courses, this can actually be a smart approach for students who are on the fence about what to study.

A college student who hasn’t yet declared a major can work on completing general education courses, which must be passed regardless of major, and take electives in areas of interest. However, many colleges will ask you to decide on a major before committing as not every college allows people to come in undecided. That doesn’t mean you have to stick to it. Those electives and general education courses can give you an idea of which major is right for you. You’ll also be able to avail yourself of the career services at your school, which may include career testing and guidance.

When diving into how to figure out what to go to college for, you should consider these factors:

• Your personal interests and strengths: What subjects did you do well in during high school? Which ones appealed most to you?
• Your career goals: Learn about different career fields to get a sense of your professional interests. Make a list of jobs you might want to pursue.
• Career growth: For each job you add to your list, consider the opportunities for professional advancement in that field.
• Earning potential and job growth: Use the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook to check the median annual salary and projected job growth rates of individual careers.
• Industry trends: Research the recent and emerging trends in any fields you’re interested in.

Keep in mind that you don’t just have to choose a major; you also need to answer the question, Where should I go to college? Some colleges are known for exceptional academics in certain departments, so choosing a major can help you choose a school.

The following activities can help guide your decision-making while you’re figuring out your ideal major.

Brainstorm a List of All Your Interests

Brainstorming can help you focus your search for the right college major. Consider what your favorite subjects are in school, as well as all of the activities you’ve done over the past few years. Which stand out in your memory for the right reasons?

Here’s a look at some examples:

• Playing on the high school baseball team
• Visiting the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Volunteering at a local animal shelter
• Being a language arts tutor for elementary school children

All of these activities can help with picking a major and have the potential to lead to a career. If you enjoy visiting museums, consider becoming a museum curator or a history professor. A love of tutoring could naturally lead to a career as a teacher, and a passion for animals may lead you to a career as a veterinarian.

In addition to considering your interests, take some time to think about your strengths. If your friends and family turn to you for help troubleshooting their computer problems, for instance, then perhaps a career in information technology (IT) could be the right choice for you. 

You may want to ask your high school counselor for a career aptitude and skills test. These aren’t foolproof, of course, but your results can give you some additional options to think about when choosing a major. 

Develop a List of Career Opportunities You Aren’t Interested In

If you’re still having trouble figuring out where your main interests lie, it can be helpful to develop a list of fields and careers that you’d like to exclude. Think about the subjects in school that you struggle with.

Next, consider other aspects of life that you either struggle with or simply aren’t interested in. If you have trouble relating to young children, for instance, then becoming a pediatrician or a school counselor probably aren’t the best choices. If you aren’t interested in sitting in front of a computer all day, then an office job (e.g., copywriter or accountant) is likely not the right path for you.

Consider Your Priorities and Match Them to Career Opportunities

Reflecting upon your interests and strengths is a useful way to identify potential careers after high school. While you’re working on narrowing down the list of possibilities, it can be helpful to consider your ancillary priorities. For example, consider how important the following factors are to you:

• A lucrative salary and good benefits
• Opportunity for advancement, such as to an executive-level position
• Type of work environment (e.g., office job or fieldwork)
• Amount of travel required
• Job outlook for the foreseeable future
• Level of activity (sedentary or highly active)
• Meaningfulness of the field (Is the work in service to others, like social work?)
• Location of the job (e.g., more likely to find work in a major city or a rural area)

The BLS not only offers salary and job growth information, but also provides information on typical work environments, job tasks, salary ranges and other variables. 

Another way to narrow down the list of possibilities for careers after high school is to browse through some of the most popular college majors. Here’s a quick look:

Communications  – A Bachelor of Arts in Communications is a highly versatile and flexible degree that could lead to a broad spectrum of careers, which is one reason why it’s so popular. A communications major could go on to become a public relations manager, writer or author, broadcaster or other media professional.

Computer science  – STEM majors such as computer science have been popular for quite a long time, with good reason. Tech skills can lead to a variety of different careers. A graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with an Emphasis in Big Data Analytics degree could go on to become a computer programmer, software developer or data scientist. 

Business management  – A Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree explores key competencies needed in the corporate world, such as organizational science and management. One thing it doesn’t do is limit your choice of careers. With this type of degree, you could pursue a career as a sales manager, general or operations manager, human resources manager or facilities manager.

Nursing – If you prefer to pursue a career that would allow you to help other people, consider the field of healthcare. Nurses are essential providers who treat and educate patients, helping them manage conditions both chronic and acute. It’s a good career field for those who crave meaningful work. 

Psychology – Another field that many people find highly meaningful is psychology. As a psychologist, you could help your patients work through major challenges in their lives. To become a clinical or counseling psychologist, you'll need a doctorate;^{(See disclaimer 2)} however, there are entry-level jobs in the field for bachelor's in psychology graduates. 

Counseling – If you like the idea of becoming a psychologist, but aren’t sure you want to earn a doctoral degree, becoming a counselor is a good alternative. Depending on state requirements, you’ll typically need a bachelor's and master's degree in counseling, plus supervised internship hours to earn licensure as a counselor.^{(See disclaimer 3 )}

If you’re still having trouble narrowing down your choices and you prefer to head to college with a career in mind, then you might consider taking a gap year after high school. Talk to your parents or guardians and your school counselor about this possibility. Gap years can be a great way to explore your self-identity and figure out your place in the world — if they’re done correctly.

A gap year shouldn’t be an excuse to sit on the couch and watch sitcoms. Instead, it should be an opportunity to experience the world and explore your passions. You can enroll in a structured gap year program or do a self-planned gap year.

Regardless of which route you choose, your gap year can be a way to narrow down your career possibilities. You might consider doing the following:

• Learn a new language using the immersive approach, such as by temporarily living in a different country
• Apply for internships in other parts of the country or around the world
• Take enrichment programs
• Participate in a volunteer program, such as by working on sea turtle conservation in Belize or sustainable development initiatives in Madagascar
• Pursue a passion project (e.g., write a novel or write and record your own music)

The possibilities are virtually limitless. You’ll notice, however, that gap year programs often involve international travel, with good reason. Seeing the world can be a great way to figure out where your place in it lies.

Note that even if you elect not to take a gap year, you can still pursue your passions outside of the classroom. When you do go on to college, check out the study abroad program.

No matter where you are in your decision-making journey, you’ll find a supportive home at Grand Canyon University. Career Services offers student support services and resources to help you identify a future career you may be interested in. 

From our knowledgeable faculty to our dedicated staff, our entire community strives to create an impactful and positive GCU experience for our students. You can choose from a wide range of bachelor’s degrees, such as the Bachelor of Arts in Social Media or the Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting.